The European Commission has decided to maintain the special controls for Turkish lemons in the 2018-2019 campaign to verify that they comply with European regulations on maximum pesticide residue limits. As a result, coinciding with the start of the Turkish campaign in September, controls will be carried out at community entry points to a minimum of 10% of the lots imported into the European Union.
During the 2017-2018 campaign, the European Commission rejected 8 batches of Turkish lemons through its RASSF system. The Turkish lemons were rejected after authorities detected residues of chlorpyrifos and imazalil in concentrations that exceeded the MRLs (maximum residue limits) established by Community regulations.
Due to last season's findings 1 out of 10 lots imported into the EU will undergo documentary, identification, and physical controls, which includes laboratory analysis, at least until December 31, 2018.
In addition, the importer or economic operator or its representative must previously notify the nature of the shipments and the estimated date and time of its physical arrival at the designated points of entry (PED), which are the only EU customs points where these imports can be made. To do this, they must submit the Common Entry Document (DCE), which is essential to carry out the customs procedure for entry into the EU, at least one working day before the physical arrival of each batch of Turkish lemons.